Commercial Truck Service Manager Job Information

Career Definition for a Commercial Truck Service Manager

A commercial truck service manager is responsible for supervising the maintenance and repair of trucks used to transport goods. The majority of the job involves supervising preventive and routine maintenance on trucks to make sure they stay in working condition, but they also supervise repairs on trucks that break down.

Education

No degree required, but certificates and associate degrees are available

Education Required

Commercial truck service managers aren't required to hold degrees, but a certificate or a 2-year associate's degree from a vocational school or community college can be helpful when looking for a job in the field. Students looking to enter the commercial truck management profession should take courses in preventive maintenance, hydraulic brake repair, diesel engine technology, mathematics, and project management.

Commercial truck services managers can earn certification through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence to demonstrate their competence. Several certifications are available in medium-heavy trucks, truck equipment, and electronic diesel engine diagnosis.

Skills Needed

Commercial truck service managers need to be able to work well with their hands and should possess strong communication skills and extensive technical knowledge. They must also pay close attention to detail and must be able to independently solve unique problems.

Career and Economic Outlook

Employment outlook for manager-level jobs in the commercial truck service industry is not readily available, although average job growth of 7% is expected for all first-line supervisors of mechanics and installers from 2016 to 2026. Qualified applicants should have technical training and experience, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median salary in this field was $64,780 in 2017, per the BLS.

Alternate Career Options

Listed below are some other options for careers in vehicular maintenance:

Small Engine Mechanic

Small engine mechanics perform inspection, repair, and maintenance tasks on motorized tools and vehicles, like chainsaws, motorcycles or motorboats. Specialization is common, and employers include power tool, motorcycle or motorboat dealers; according to the BLS, in 2016, about 12% of these mechanics were self-employed. Small engine mechanics may work indoors or out and on-site or in a shop. Paths to this career include on-the-job training or postsecondary education and training programs. Manufacturer-issued certifications are available. The BLS reports that small engine mechanics can look forward to job growth of 5% from 2016-2026, and the jobs in this field paid a median salary of $35,990 in 2017.

Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technician

In this field, mechanics usually specialize in construction, mining, farming or transportation equipment. Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians often work on-site to perform inspection, maintenance, and repair activities on engines and related components like transmissions, fuel lines or brakes. It's possible to get this job with a high school diploma or postsecondary education or training; on-the-job training follows. These mechanics may earn manufacturer certification. According to the BLS, heavy vehicle mechanics can expect job growth of 8% from 2016-2026; these workers earned median pay of $49,440 in 2017.